The optima is the ONLY rebreather I’m certified on that hasn’t cost me a day of diving. It works every time, no matter what. I can dive it all weekend, close it for a month, open it and dive it for another weekend. Of course I got a great bronchial infection, but the Optima just works, I’ve tried that will all 4 of my other rebreathers and in each case a cell gets screwy from the moisture. On the liberty, I have to open to charge, on the sidekick a cell died completely until it dries out. At the very least I probably have to calibrate.Yeah I know, I had my first trip to Bonaire scheduled for end of May was cancelled due to covid. I had my Genesis 1200 packed and ready to ship back to Jon for the battery upgrade. I was super jealous when I saw you went
I have my AOW with the instructor Saturday, I will ask him more about the Prism vs Optima and weather the unit he used had Hammerhead electronics.
I like the fact that most here seem to think the Optima seems to be built stronger, I assume this makes the Optima a better choice on a rocking boat?
How do the two compare in break down, cleaning and checklist procedures time?
Looks like the weight of the two is pretty similar, how about pack-a-ability for Airline flights?
We are not trying to go the cheapest rout on either training or equipment. I do think we are entitled to some discounts since we are buying and training two units, but both of us own our own businesses we understand value vs a cheap price.
I really appreciate all the comments, it's not only helping us decide but educating me at the same time!
Then there was the time that I dropped Kristi Bernots brand new Optima off the benches, crashing to the ground. Nothing wrong, did a four hour dive after I cleaned the dirt off. I did the same thing to a JJ and a Revo, with several hundred dollars in damage each (don’t let me borrow your CCR)
But even if quality and ruggedness were equal, Lamars customer service is up there with Shearwater. He cares.
it’s not my only rebreather. It’s not even my favorite every day, but most days for most jobs, it is the one I pick.
And to be fair to me, so you don’t think I’m just an Optima fanboy. I’m not trying to sell or train you on anything.